Tito Ortiz says he will return in May 2008

2007-12-04

By Raj Giri

Despite being one of UFC’s top draws, Tito Ortiz hasn’t fought since July 7, when he fought Rashad Evans to a draw at UFC 73: Stacked. Ortiz, who is currently filming for The Apprentice on NBC, was originally scheduled to have a rematch against Evans at UFC 78. Ortiz decided against the fight due to nagging injuries, with Michael Bisping eventually getting the fight with Evans.
“My last fight, before I fought Rashad (Evans), I wasn’t 100 percent, and I just wanted to make sure if I ever fight again I’m going to be 100 percent,” Ortiz told MMAWeekly.com “The back injury that I sustained kind of hindered me for fight time. Now it’s a lot better, and May will be my next fight.

“I spoke to Lorenzo (Fertitta) and it looks like … they’re going to wait until May, so the next Cinco de Mayo weekend will be Tito Ortiz’ next fight.”

This would put Ortiz’s next fight in another five months. While no opponents have been named for his next fight, a rematch with Evans would make the most sense, since they last fought to a controversial draw and Evans is coming off a victory over Michael Bisping.

Meanwhile, the animosity between Ortiz and Dana White continues. When recently asked during a press conference why Ortiz didn’t fight Evans at UFC 78, White remarked how he heard that Ortiz was injured, only to later find out that he was filming The Apprentice. Later when a reporter asked why Matt Hamill didn’t fight Michael Bisping at the same show, White replied “Because he’s [Hamill] really injured”.

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on Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at 3:51 pm and is filed under Tito Ortiz News & Updates.
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